Your Architect’s Role During Construction
The team behind your build or renovation must function like a well-oiled machine to ensure your design and deadlines come to fruition. As the homeowner, it’s crucial to understand what all the moving parts are and who’s in charge of what.
The first step in understanding your architect's role in your project is understanding the type of firm you’re working with. If you’re deciding between working with a design-build vs design-bid-build firm, we broke down the pros and cons of working with each in a recent blog post.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Architect in Construction?
It’s easy to assume an architect's responsibilities end with delivering the final design for your home renovation or building project. On the contrary, your architect continues to play a crucial role in the execution of the design, making sure the builder properly understands the drawings and executes them according to the client’s expectations and all the nuances from the design process.
At Lee Design Studio, we provide a construction letter at the onset of the construction phase that breaks down expectations from the owner, contractor, and architect. The architect does not oversee, ensure, or control the construction process. We, as architects, are onsite to observe and report back to the owner observations and deviations from the contract documents. We also help work through construction conflicts, suggested changes from the contractor, or owner changes during construction.
Examples of things your architect is responsible for communicating to the owner:
Substitution of materials - Reviewing that the materials in the drawings are being used and not downgraded
Attempting to find problems before they are in the final stages of construction and bring them to the team’s attention to avoid delays and additional cost
Waterproofing
Owner changes - As the construction begins, owners tend to make changes in the field and we help think through the implications of those changes
Managing day to day construction is typically out of scope for an architect, unless they offer management services. Lee Design Studio offers construction administration as an extension of their design services, giving homeowners peace of mind throughout the project but does not manage the construction.
If you’re working with an architect unwilling to provide construction administration, you can opt for a freelance third party construction manager who will help coordinate and supervise your project from start to finish to ensure you stay on target with timeline and budget.
Are you interested in learning more about what to expect during a remodel or renovation? Catch up with our very own Marie Payne as she shares her experience renovating her family home and guides homeowners on what to expect during renovating and remodeling your home.